I have a hobby. I make rosaries. One year we as a parish raised a little over $5000 selling and raffling off these rosaries. Some I made with Swarovski crystal beads we sold for $100, and the others I made with semi-precious stones we sold for $50. The monies paid for one year the costs of the First Communion program at the parish. Well I decided that I would bring my rosary building supplies along on this little exile of mine. I had lots of sterling wire, several crosses, and only one center left. I figured I would figure out how to get some more centers when I had a more stable address. So the first rosary was going to be for me. I began to build it when I was in Pittsburgh for the CMAA Colloquium, and I finished in Germany where I was enjoying the hospitality of Harry and Beverly Stevens Sterling silver wire, center and crucifix, grey agate 6mm stones. The crucifix is a sterling silver Irish penal cross. It is a daily reminder that I am not alone in experiencing persecution. I figured in my travels, and the various tombs I might visit, this rosary would become a third class relic of Francis of Assisi, Gaspar del Bufalo, and if I am lucky, maybe John Paul II. Francis is accomplished, still have to work on those other two. Well, in these trips to Ireland and England I have come up with a few surprises. My rosary is now a third class relic of 1.St. Francis of Assisi 2.St. Oliver Plunkett 3.St. Thomas More 4.St. John Fisher 5.The Holy English Martyrs 6.St. Edward the Confessor 7.Bl. John Henry Newman 8.Bl. Dominic Barberi I have kept some good company this summer

The Head of St. Oliver Plunkett

The Tomb of St. Edward the Confessor

Bl. John Henry Newman's reliquary is on the right, in front of the small statue

Down these steps were the remains of St. Thomas More, St. John Fisher, and hundreds of Holy Martyrs

You have more friends (spiritual bodyguards?) than most of us travel with, Father J :) . Thank you for keeping us posted on your travels. With you in prayer.

Reply

Lilly

8/21/2015 07:02:50 am

Oh Father I didn't know that you did all those beautiful rosaries , you are so blessed , all the people who have persecuted you, have no idea what they have lost. Thank you .

Reply

Tes

8/21/2015 04:59:27 pm

“The man who hoped when those around him conspired to thrust him into despair, the man upheld by the strong and tender hand of God, the man undaunted at the prospect of doing battle for the Catholic faith…”

How wonderful for you to have these times and space for recollection, meditation, and calm, Fr. Jeff and, that you are blessed with several true friendships out there too.

You are a composite of the things you do and the things you desire to become: in your travels, your visits to holy shrines of our faith, these pilgrimages in places sanctified by the presence of the saints in life and in death. Yes, the best way to keep it alive is to walk on it.

How nice to be blessed in the presence of holy relics, by walking on ground hollowed by such saints and martyrs. In these, you walk in their company. You rightly cherish the images of the saints and venerate their sacred tombs too. I’m sure that you have received many graces.

It is also a time of cultural enrichment and beyond this, a source of spiritual nourishment, thus helping all of us who you share it with, to be capable of nourishing our own knowledge and friendship of the saints. We are then inspired to learn, to pray, and to follow an example that finds favor with GOD. Oh yes, even “rosary-making”!

“I have often affirmed my conviction that the true apology of Christian faith, the most convincing demonstration of its truth against every denial, are the saints, and the beauty that the faith has generated. Today, for faith to grow, we must lead ourselves and the persons we meet to encounter the saints and to enter into contact with the Beautiful.” (Cardinal Ratzinger)

For I know, that God is the strength of your heart…

Reply

Barbara Emge

8/22/2015 04:13:40 am

A gorgeous rosary Pater! Never heard of an Irish penal cross before, and now I know about the symbols on the front and back of the cross. Also, now consider my kidney stone as a loose bead--more pleasant that way, at least for a couple of weeks until the laser hits it.

Author

I am a Roman Catholic Priest from California. I spent 13 wonderful years years as a member of the Province of the Pacific in the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. The outline of my life can be traced here.